2nd Feb, 2024

“Sky is the limit for him”: Pooran on Waseem's stellar consistency

By MI Emirates Media

After leading the MI Emirates to their fifth win of the season, first with his onfield tactics and then with a nine-ball 24, Nicholas Pooran has his eyes firmly on the big goal. He came out for the post-match press conference and took a whole host of questions. Excerpts..

Thoughts on the win

Very impressed. After that loss last game, we spoke about picking ourselves up. We wanted the two points today, and we knew that Sharjah wasn’t giving us. We spoke about working hard, respecting the game. The guys accepted the challenge and brilliant performance from them. 

On Waqar Salamkheil’s superb season

He has been fantastic throughout the season. Happy that he is getting the opportunity this year. Not only him, on different days there are different bowlers taking up the challenge. He has been brilliant for us and has been a match winner. 

On the opening combination

They have been fantastic. The left-right combination at the top of the order has been fantastic. Perera coming here, out for form in international cricket, but he is stamping his authority here. Brilliant person. He came out and is being himself. It is wonderful to see him bat. Waseem is a wonderful player. He has been performing at the highest level for a while now. I am happy to see him in this leagues and happy to see him putting in match-winning performances. Sky is the limit for him. 

On his excellent form

We wanted to win the game without losing a lot of wickets. I knew it would help our net run-rate. I got a couple of balls in my zone and I said, ‘why not’. Lovely to hit a few for six. 

On the road ahead 

We have a lot of games to play still. Our goal is to finish at the top of the table. These tournaments change very fast. We can’t take anything for granted. We have to come out every day and practice. We have to try and put in 110% everytime. Can’t expect to show up and win. The tournament is not done. There is a long way to go. 

On the crowd coming out in large numbers 

It has been amazing so far. Nice to see the crowd coming out and supporting the team even on a weekday. It makes the game a lot more enjoyable especially from a player’s perspective. Really happy we could entertain the fans. I encourage the fans to come out and continue to show us the love and support. 


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